Generally speaking, in major competitions, at least 10 rows of seats behind the judges are blocked out except for the camera. Behind that, only ISU officials/ test judges are usually allowed in what rows are left behind the section where the judges sit. (The ISU doesn't want anyone to be able to "read" how the judges vote on their computers.)

Interesting theory. But I never noticed anything like that in Japan. The rows behind judges are always on sale and it's normally Arena seats, i.e. the good $ ones, sold usually the fastest. You can se no empty rows behidn judges on youtube videos from Japan events. Good policy I think.

Teb

Anyone planning on going to TEB 2012? I am going to try. Just the women's field alone makes it worth the travelling.
Also, does anyone know when tickets will be available?

hello ,
i'm french and used to go to this competition since 1996 .
if you want , you can go easily in the skater's hotel front of the ice rink = there is a bar inside where you can have a drink and you are just in front of the 2 lifts of this hotel ........
you can see every one ( it's better the morning or before the competition , after there is too much people )
see you

( just going friday and will be before competition at the bar whith a red bag the north face)
abfab

hello ,
i'm french and used to go to this competition since 1996 .
if you want , you can go easily in the skater's hotel front of the ice rink = there is a bar inside where you can have a drink and you are just in front of the 2 lifts of this hotel ........
you can see every one ( it's better the morning or before the competition , after there is too much people )
see you

( just going friday and will be before competition at the bar whith a red bag the north face)
abfab

Oh that's great to know! I will definitely be looking for skaters there!
Also do you know whether people can watch practices or not?
Thanks!

Generally speaking, in major competitions, at least 10 rows of seats behind the judges are blocked out except for the camera. Behind that, only ISU officials/ test judges are usually allowed in what rows are left behind the section where the judges sit. (The ISU doesn't want anyone to be able to "read" how the judges vote on their computers.)

The short program has open seating, and while generally people sit on the opposite side of the judges (it's closer to the entrance), you can walk over to the other side on the upper levels. Some people have said that they weren't allowed to, but we've done it without a problem a few times. It's a lot less crowded on that side, and it's mostly people who are officials from federations sitting there.

The short program has open seating, and while generally people sit on the opposite side of the judges (it's closer to the entrance), you can walk over to the other side on the upper levels. Some people have said that they weren't allowed to, but we've done it without a problem a few times. It's a lot less crowded on that side, and it's mostly people who are officials from federations sitting there.

S/S may withdraw. Aliona has been sick since SC and has been on antibiotics and has not been training since SC.
Poor Aliona sounds like she has been very ill. She just started off ice training today. They will make a decision by Wed.
Does not sound good at all.

Oh that's great to know! I will definitely be looking for skaters there!
Also do you know whether people can watch practices or not?
Thanks!

Hotel bars are awesome! I did that for Skate America and ended up seeing a ton of coaches + skaters. My convo with Brian Orser at the hotel bar was probably one of the highlights of my Skate America experience. It's also a good chance to meet with other fans.

German press published a few articles where they say that participation of S/S in TEB is not clear yet. Alyona had a flu, so she is still recovering. They will decide on Wednesday if they will go or not. This article says that Ingo asked to make an exception for them and send S/S to GPF without participation in TEB. Eh? http://www.wn.de/Welt/Sport/Wintersp...Paris-ungewiss